Because though she be just a lonely janitor wandering lonely halls she never really works alone. Though she may be a motel’s only receptionist, or a playground supervisor’s only paid staff, she is never on her own.

Though she may be a stay at home mother or a woman juggling a CEO position in a high rise, she belongs to one collective group.

She is female.

And though she may not be great at speaking up for herself, though she may find it hard to justify that, she does not find it a challenge to stand up for others in her club.

And when you dared to dim out her flame she was watching.

She noticed.

When you dared to put her daughter’s future safety on the line you better believe she was listening.

When you dared to try to throw her further back into the stone age she dug in, and so did we.

We dug in for our sisters. Because every time you try to put one down, we collectively feel that burn. Every time you dig one woman’s grave you prepare ours.

So today she is brave. Because she never works alone.

This week your ruling makes us feel weak for our sister victim, but we are not weak.

Because one victim’s courage to speak her truth is pumping the blood through all of our veins.